CEUDA's 2005 National Convention

(l-r) Scott, Pellerin-Fowlie, Moran, Fortin, Walker (below) McGillivray

Sept 30 to Oct 2 - CEUDA held its 14^th National Convention in Ottawa.

With great pride and loud applause, Delegates adopted a no dues increase budget.

Delegates also showed strong support for CEUDA’s former National President, Ron Moran, and acclaimed him to another term in office.  There was definitely a feeling that CEUDA, under Ron’s leadership was on the right track and Delegates are eager to see where CEUDA will head under his continued stewardship. 

Also back in office for another term are Jean-Pierre Fortin (Quebec’s Eastern Townships) as 1^st National Vice-President, Steve Pellerin-Fowlie (Calgary, Alberta) as 2^nd NVP, and Carolyn McGillivray (Surrey, B.C.) as CEUDA’s Equal Opportunity Representative. 

New members elected to the National Executive are Mike Walker (Fredericton, NB) as 3^rd NVP, and George Scott (Vancouver, B.C.) as 4^th NVP.

A new Resolution also led to the election of an Alternate EO Rep, Danielle Dubuc (Lacolle, Quebec). 

Speakers included Sister Nycole Turmel, PSAC National President, Hassan Yussuff, Secretary Treasurer of the Canada Labour Congress, Patty Ducharme, PSAC Regional Executive VP – B.C., Michel Chevalier, National President of APSAR, and Tony Cannavino, President of the Canadian Professional Police Association.  All spoke with passion and hope, and delivered excellent messages on the importance of solidarity, of working together, and of being part of a greater family. 

Tony Cannavino shared some great news with Delegates when he announced that the CPPA National Board of Directors, representing 54,000 Police Officers across Canada, had recently voted to unanimously support the arming of Customs Officers.

Northgate Group Reps, now studying the issue of sidearms for Customs, heaped praise on CEUDA for its lead on this important issue and reminded all Delegates that as many members as possible need to be interviewed by Northgate.

With support from the PSAC, and others like the CPPA and the CLC, CEUDA has every intention of staying its course and, more importantly, picking up the pace to increase pressure on the Federal Government.   

The most amazing theme to come out of CEUDA’s National Convention, however, had little to do with resolutions, elections, the budget or speakers.  It was the resounding message from Delegates that CEUDA as a Union has the solid backing of its members, and that this backing is not just in words it is in actions.  CEUDA’s members are united, mobilized, have stepped up to the plate, and aren’t willing to take the abuses from their employer anymore.